I know Evil is loose in the world, but,...

[1SweetJream]

O.k., I know that evil is loose in the world but has anyone here ever experienced the following?

And yes I know I posted this under another forum cause I wasn't certain where to post it. But I hope you'll forgive me for posting it here as well to get the opinions of fellow baptists brothers & sisters.

This is pretty freaky & I'm wondering if anyone else has ever experienced this. And or if anyone has any input on this matter.

*I'm new here so I hope I chose the right forum for this post.

Hmmm, how to begin to explain

Ever since I was a little girl I've been awakened by something that I don't know how to describe other than that it feels like a dark evil presence. It doesn't happen every night or even every mth.,... mabey like a few times a year,... but as far back as I can remember. It doesn't feel like a dream though. And, I'm so paralized with fear I can't hardly breathe, let alone try to move a muscle, or try to scream.

As a child after *trying* to scream & or call for my mom, I would silently cry & just pray inside my head for God to help me. And after an undetermined amount of time it would leave me. And I usually couldn't go back to sleep for a loooong time. To this day I don't sleep in the dark & have always had to have radio or t.v. on when I sleep,... not that that has prevented this from happening.

As an adult in the past few years or so I've started to squeeze out the words from my paralized throat "I belong to Jesus & you can't have me" or "In Jesus name leave me alone" or "in Jesus name away from me" whatever I have the presence of mind & ability to get out. And "it" will leave me. And I'll pray Thanks to God for saving me from this thing

This is still a VERY SCARY experience for me though. Even just telling about it is scary. I don't remember having ever told anyone about this before. It's just too scary to think about even.

Has anyone here ever heard of, or experienced, this happening? And, if so is there something else I could do to prevent this from re-occuring?

It just happened again the other night, so I guess that's why it's on my mind & I'm sharing here now.

 

[ZiSunka]

And, I'm so paralized with fear I can't hardly breathe, let alone try to move a muscle, or try to scream.

"Sleep paralysis" is the term doctors use for this phenomenon and it is well-known to to be the body's resistence to waking up during REM sleep. Sometimes when you are deep in a REM (rapid eye movement, or dream phase of sleep), the brain resists waking because you didn't get your quota of the body and mind refreshment that REM sleep gives you. During REM, your muscles are super-relaxed and as you come out of REM your muscles start to tone up again in preparation for waking up. But in the middle of REM, they are still so relaxed that if you wake up they can't tone up quickly enough to let you move, so you are temporarily paralyzed. After a time, they get toned again and you can get up and move around.

The body resists waking up in deep REM phase so much that often if you are awakened during that phase, you will feel the presence of "evil" because the brain chemicals that cause REM can quickly transform into the brain chemicals that cause fear. The two go together, paralysis and the feeling of evil, but it's just your normal body and brain chemistry that causes both things, not the presence of actual evil or demons.

So go back to sleep, you're normal!

 

[SteveR2021]

lambslove,

You are right to recognize that there is a phenomenon called "sleep paralysis", however sleep paralysis is not necessarily related to "sleep terrors". Further, this is an example where Psychology can describe and categorize particular phenomenon while not necessarily being able to account for it.

In fact, the experience of the brain may be quite different during such an experience, but this does not mean that the activity of the brain is causing the experience...the experience itself may be caused by some outside phenomenon.

I believe that what is being experienced here is demonic attack. Psychology does not recognize this possibility - but the Bible makes it clear that we can expect this kind of activity. I too have experienced this in my life...particularly when I have major moves towards God through dedication etc. I have been wide awake at times and seen forms...these I recognized as demonic. Yet, whenever I have commanded them to leave (in the name of Jesus) they have complied.

I would encourage you to recognize this for what it is and deal with it - it is not necessarily a bad thing. Ask God to help you to enter into His rest each night before you go to sleep, and if this happens again continue to take authority in Jesus' name. Remind the spirit of what Christ accomplished on the cross.

I hope that helps

God Bless

Stephen

 

[1SweetJream]

Wow Thank-you for that explaination Lambslove. So I'm not weird then,.... or well I prolly am,...lol!!! But, it's nice to know that there is a physical explaination for what has been happening, rather than a spiritual explaination. Now if I can just convince myself of that when it happens next time

 

[ZiSunka]

lambslove,

You are right to recognize that there is a phenomenon called "sleep paralysis", however sleep paralysis is not necessarily related to "sleep terrors". Further, this is an example where Psychology can describe and categorize particular phenomenon while not necessarily being able to account for it.

In fact, the experience of the brain may be quite different during such an experience, but this does not mean that the activity of the brain is causing the experience...the experience itself may be caused by some outside phenomenon.

I believe that what is being experienced here is demonic attack. Psychology does not recognize this possibility - but the Bible makes it clear that we can expect this kind of activity. I too have experienced this in my life...particularly when I have major moves towards God through dedication etc. I have been wide awake at times and seen forms...these I recognized as demonic. Yet, whenever I have commanded them to leave (in the name of Jesus) they have complied.

I would encourage you to recognize this for what it is and deal with it - it is not necessarily a bad thing. Ask God to help you to enter into His rest each night before you go to sleep, and if this happens again continue to take authority in Jesus' name. Remind the spirit of what Christ accomplished on the cross.

I hope that helps

God Bless

Stephen

Actually, beginning in 1956 and going on for 40 years, sceintists thoroughly explored this phenomenon and found that it is a universal effect of being suddenly aroused out of deep REM sleep. It never happened at any other time and all subjects reported that they could not identify the source of their fear but that they suspected they were in the presence of evil. This was true of everyone who had that effect including those not of the Christian culture.

It's a normal reaction to being suddenly wakened from deep REM. To try to make it into something else more sinister means that this poor woman will have to unnecessarily continue to live with the idea that she is being visited by an evil force while she is asleep. That's just cruel and foolish.

 

[mesue]

You're not weird, I get them too.

Usually I say in my dream "Go away, God loves me." and it does.
The last time I said "Jesus died for me and loves me." and I haven't had them since. Now, watch, I get one tonight just for saying I haven't had them.

 

[SteveR2021]

It's a normal reaction to being suddenly wakened from deep REM. To try to make it into something else more sinister means that this poor woman will have to unnecessarily continue to live with the idea that she is being visited by an evil force while she is asleep. That's just cruel and foolish.

We may have a difference of opinion, but I sincerely hope you do not mean what you have said. I have not meant to be cruel and foolish...I have said what I have said because my background in Psychology (and a course in Psychology on the paranormal) did not convince me that these were merely biological events. What I have said I have said because I believe in speaking truth...I said what i said in love.

Brother, remember that we cannot see one another's motives - only words. We may disagree but I don't for a second believe that anyone here has any desire but to honor God.

I respectfully disagree with you...and I would say that whether or not this experience is demonic it need not bring fear - we have Jesus who has already conquered!!

Further debate is probably unproductive...when feelings get involved we risk more damage than good. I only hope that this lady will take this to God and ask for His help in discerning the truth.

God bless.

Stephen

 

[Matthan]

Regardless of what might be causing these feelings, calling on our Lord's Holy Name is ALWAYS the very best sollution. If these "situations" are caused by internal phycological motivations such as LL proposed, all well and good. If they are caused by some evil presence, take heart. NOTHING can harm you EVER when you place your trust in Jesus. When we believe in Him, He will protect us, and "deliver us from (ALL) evil."

Matthan <J><

 

[1SweetJream]

lambslove,

You are right to recognize that there is a phenomenon called "sleep paralysis", however sleep paralysis is not necessarily related to "sleep terrors". Further, this is an example where Psychology can describe and categorize particular phenomenon while not necessarily being able to account for it.

In fact, the experience of the brain may be quite different during such an experience, but this does not mean that the activity of the brain is causing the experience...the experience itself may be caused by some outside phenomenon.

I believe that what is being experienced here is demonic attack. Psychology does not recognize this possibility - but the Bible makes it clear that we can expect this kind of activity. I too have experienced this in my life...particularly when I have major moves towards God through dedication etc. I have been wide awake at times and seen forms...these I recognized as demonic. Yet, whenever I have commanded them to leave (in the name of Jesus) they have complied.

I would encourage you to recognize this for what it is and deal with it - it is not necessarily a bad thing. Ask God to help you to enter into His rest each night before you go to sleep, and if this happens again continue to take authority in Jesus' name. Remind the spirit of what Christ accomplished on the cross.

I hope that helps

God Bless

Stephen

Hmmm, Well I'd rather believe lambslove on this.

But, I must say it does feel sooo real & I have seen a dark figure @ times as well as feel it upon me,... kinda like a weight & movement all over me, & I've even felt my bed shake But, using Jesus name always makes it leave it's just really hard to squeeze out the words from my throat.

 

[ZiSunka]

Regardless of what might be causing these feelings, calling on our Lord's Holy Name is ALWAYS the very best sollution. If these "situations" are caused by internal phycological motivations such as LL proposed, all well and good. If they are caused by some evil presence, take heart. NOTHING can harm you EVER when you place your trust in Jesus. When we believe in Him, He will protect us, and "deliver us from (ALL) evil."

Matthan <J><

I didn't say it was psychological, I said it was biochemical.

 

[mesue]

But, using Jesus name always makes it leave it's just really hard to squeeze out the words from my throat.

Like you're trying to talk while somone has their hands on your throat.

 

[1SweetJream]

Like you're trying to talk while somone has their hands on your throat.

No, it's not realy like I'm being choked it's more like I'm paralized with fear that's why LL's explaination sounded reasonable.

But Please everyone, I didn't mean for this to get heated with differences of oppinions. I appreciate all of your input. It's something that like I've said has happened to me since I was a child.

I am a christian & was brought up by a christian mom. I don't remember exactly when I gave my life to Christ, but I know I've been a christian for as long as I can remember. And that is prolly why I was able to know to pray silently in my head to God to save me from this evil as a child.

And, I do keep in mind Romans 8:35-39

*35)Who shall seperate us from the Love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36)As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37)Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that Loved us.
38)For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39)Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to seperate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

But, that doesn't make the experience less scary when it happens. Cause as a christian I know we are under attack by the enemy. And, I know that he is on the prowl like a roaring lion ready to devour us. So, while it would be comforting to believe that this experience is purely biochemical(?) I do think it could be a spiritual attack.

So, that is why I shared this here cause I was wondering if any1 else had ever had this experience happen to them, or known some1 who had.

Again, I do appriciate all of your inputs "Thank-You"

And, it does help to know others have had this experience. So also, "Thank-you to those of you who have shared that it's happened to you too. Now I don't feel so alone in this. Not that I'd wish it on anyone else, it's TOO FREAKY & SCARY!!!

 

[Sword-In-Hand]

Hopefully what I'm trying to say won't take you back to those moments of terror, but the incidents you experience could be spiritual, biochemical or both. We, as Christians, know there is a spirit world full of both angels and demons. Saul was troubled by a spirit, although I'm not comparing you to Saul because he was not a very good person, but just saying that it does happen.

If there is anything, I believe, that you should take from what everyone has said, is this. When you do find the strength to call on the name of Jesus, you say this presence leaves you. Well take heart then, because these spirits do in fact fear Him and cannot be even be in the presence of His name. So just keep joy alive to know that Jesus protects you even while you're sleeping.

Now having said all of that, I want to know some explanations as to why I have these feelings or senses while wide awake?

 

[mesue]

No, it's not realy like I'm being choked it's more like I'm paralized with fear that's why LL's explaination sounded reasonable.

I was stating it from personal reference. My husband says it scares him when I talk like that in my sleep, but that is how it feels to me, like I'm trying to talk while someone is choking me.

 

[Ginny]

Wow...what a post, 1SweetJream...

I have so many things to say...but I no particular order that will probably make sense.

It is so weird to be dreaming and be awake at the same time. I have had demonic dreams, also, in which I try to quote get behind me, satan....and I actually say get behind thee Jesus. It is so scary.

I know that one cannot be possessed if they are a Christian, but it is so scary to think that we can still have those experiences as a Christian, ya know?

I woke up some months ago to see an outline of a demon about the heigth of our bed walking by my side .. but before I knew it I was asleep again. As a young girl, somehow I had seen The Excorcist and to this day b/c the movie terrified me out of my mind, Satan brings the movie back to my dreams and when I wake up I have so much fear in me that I feel the presence of something right there. On the other hand, shortly before I was saved I had a dream I was in line to meet Jesus at the judgement but was not "ready". When I woke up, all I felt was peace b/c Jesus gave me the dream.

I have found that when I go to bed if I pray to have a good nights sleep, that without fail, I do. Now, the night I forget, it never fails I will have a bad demonic dream. See, Inever have bad dreams, they are always deminc bad dreams. He k nows he gets me in that area of my life, too. How coincidental that he uses the same maneuvers?

I know for a fact that Satan deals out whatever he can to each person to see if they will negatively respond to it...if they have a huge response that seems to really affect them..like mentally, then he uses that against them. Satan knows you are terrified when this happens...that is why he keeps using it against you. Keep fighting back with the power of God.

I suggest you pray "Jesus, I am your child. I am your daughter. I come to you as a woman that needs her "daddy". I know that you do not want me to have fear. Satan will not leave me alone and he keeps attacking me. I need my rest and I know you are always awake watching over me while I sleep. Please help me to be strong in you. There will be times that I may forget to pray every night. Will you please watch over me then, too? Just as earthly Fathers watch over their children, I know you love me a million times more than that."

This may seem like a very childlike prayer...but that is how I prefer to go to Him in times of fear. We need His arms around us.

I do not know much about these sleep disorders that people have been talking about, but we cannot be naieve about the works of evil. No wonder Satan is messing with all of us...we are a threat to him by being a follower of Jesus Christ.

I would also kick Satan to the curb before I even went to bed. I am probably going to be thought of as a nut, but I have been by myself before and he has tried to mess with me spiritually and I just let him have it at the top of my lungs quoting scripture.

THAT'S THE WAY TO SHOW HIM!!!!

 

[Gwenyfur]

I know some here will disagree with what I will tell you but....here ya go...

The spirit that is bothering you is there to cause you fear and doubt...but here is your strength and the promise of the Lord:

Exodus 14:13 13And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

In our times, the evil that bothers us is equated with the egyptians that were after the Isaelites.

Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

With the strength of the Salvation Jesus gave us...whom/what shall we fear....nothing.

If we pray for the protection of Him and His angels, He will give it...He's already promised it.

Psalm 91:11
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

And whatever He does allow to touch our lives, He does it with a purpose and a plan for us...

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Romans 8:14
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Which means He will always be there for us, and we have no cause to fear...

1John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

We have nothing to fear...pray, have your friends pray, and I will be praying that you will no longer feel this paralyzing fear at any time in your life again. Don't be afraid to pray through your entire house. Asking God to provide a hedge of protection around your house, your room, even your bed...ask for the presence of His angels to keep you safe....He is faithful to do so.

God Bless,

 

[ZiSunka]

Amazing!

The OP says she thinks that it is a biochemical thing because her symptoms match the symptoms of sleep paralysis, a normal function of the body when we are awakened too quickly, but people go on and on about how it's demonic.

Demons don't have the power to paralyze God's people. Demons don't have the power to make one hold one's breath. Instead of looking for a demon under every bush, why not accept the simple answer that best fits the situation?

 

[Gwenyfur]

Amazing!

The OP says she thinks that it is a biochemical thing because her symptoms match the symptoms of sleep paralysis, a normal function of the body when we are awakened too quickly, but people go on and on about how it's demonic.

Demons don't have the power to paralyze God's people. Demons don't have the power to make one hold one's breath. Instead of looking for a demon under every bush, why not accept the simple answer that best fits the situation?

Amazing that it's not in her original post then...it's in her response as suggested by a response...

 

[Sword-In-Hand]

Amazing!

The OP says she thinks that it is a biochemical thing because her symptoms match the symptoms of sleep paralysis, a normal function of the body when we are awakened too quickly, but people go on and on about how it's demonic.

Demons don't have the power to paralyze God's people. Demons don't have the power to make one hold one's breath. Instead of looking for a demon under every bush, why not accept the simple answer that best fits the situation?

Why the sarcasm? Is it because not everyone agreed with your answer? No one who posted is trying to make this lady feel like there is a dark power trying to take her over and no one said these feelings could not be dealt with. You're taking this to a much higher degree than intended, please slow down, no one needs to get angry here.

Amazing that it's not in her original post then...it's in her response as suggested by a response...

Yep.

 

[Hisgirl]

But, I must say it does feel sooo real & I have seen a dark figure @ times as well as feel it upon me,... kinda like a weight & movement all over me, & I've even felt my bed shake But, using Jesus name always makes it leave it's just really hard to squeeze out the words from my throat.

Seeing a dark figure, feeling a movement and having the bed shake has absolutely nothing to do with brain chemicals

There has only been one response here that came close to dealing with the true problem.

Yes, you have absolute authority in Christ Jesus....I will send the rest of this post in a pm....but those of you who read this post and are insisting it is in her head and is chemical in origin ....please be careful when giving advice to someone who is experiencing what she described in the above statement.

There are many, many teachings in the Word about dealing with spirits that are contrary to the Holy Spirit...and ignoring them or attributing their attacks to brain chemical imbalance will not make them go away.

There are many good teachings about dealing with this sort of thing and it can be quickly dealt with....but this is a time to be wise.